Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Zelkova serrata 'Green Veil'

Japanese zelkova 'Green Veil'

An upright and slender deciduous tree to 15m tall, with smooth grey bark and arching shoots giving a pendulous effect. The leaves are coarsely toothed and take on red and orange tints in the autumn. An elegant specimen tree where space allows

Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
more than 50 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Orange Red
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Ulmaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Zelkova are large deciduous trees or shrubs with neatly serrate, ovate leaves and inconspicuous flowers and fruit; good autumn colour

Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade with protection from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Take greenwood cuttings (preferably from young plants) in summer. Graft in winter. Remove rooted suckers in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
Pruning

See pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to bacterial canker, Dutch elm disease and honey fungus (rarely)

Get involved

The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.